William J. "Bill" Binn

He was born on Nov. 19, 1925, in Racine, the son of William and Martha (Surendonk) Binn. He married Frances Annette Hering on Dec. 28, 1946, in Sparta, Wis. After graduation from the Wisconsin School for the Deaf in 1946, William worked as a printer in Sparta for seven years. Relocating to Monona in 1953, he was employed by Madison Newspapers, Inc., as a printer for 26 years and for ten years at the State of Wisconsin WISCOMP, where he was awarded the Governor’s Excellence Award. During membership with the Madison Association of the Deaf (MAD), he served on the board and committees including the Central Athletic Association of the Deaf basketball tourney in 1974. A longtime member of the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf, he served as treasurer from 1964 to 1971. He envisioned annual Deaf campers gatherings that became a reality in 1968. He served as the Wisconsin Deaf Campers’ first wagon master. In 2004, he was inducted in the WSD Hall of Fame. He also was involved with campaigning activities for two state legislators.

Bill is survived by Maxine (Joseph Merriman) Binn of Mammoth Lakes, Calif., Wilma (John) Yindra of Franklin, Bill (Jimalee) Binn of Lake Geneva; four granddaughters, Becky, Laura, Stephanie and Malorie; and three great-grandsons, Seth, Alex and Miles. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings.

A Celebration of Life will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Monona, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until the time of the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Agrace HospiceCare or Wisconsin School of the Deaf Firebirds Athletic Department.